Chateau de Bramevaque, Bramevaque, France

Photo from Flickr, copyright Honza Soukup

Historic Site of the week

Angelokastro

Angelokastro is a Byzantine castle on the island of Corfu. It is located at the top of the highest peak of the island"s shoreline in the northwest coast near Palaiokastritsa and built on particularly precipitous and rocky terrain. It stands 305 m on a steep cliff above the sea and surveys the City of Corfu and the mountains of mainland Greece to the southeast and a wide area of Corfu toward the northeast and northwest.

Angelokastro is one of the most important fortified complexes of Corfu. It was an acropolis which surveyed the region all the way to the southern Adriatic and presented a formidable strategic vantage point to the occupant of the castle.

Angelokastro formed a defensive triangle with the castles of Gardiki and Kassiopi, which covered Corfu"s defences to the south, northwest and northeast.

The castle never fell, despite frequent sieges and attempts at conquering it through the centuries, and played a decisive role in defending the island against pirate incursions and during three sieges of Corfu by the Ottomans, significantly contributing to their defeat.

During invasions it helped shelter the local peasant population. The villagers also fought against the invaders playing an active role in the defence of the castle.

The exact period of the building of the castle is not known, but it has often been attributed to the reigns of Michael I Komnenos and his son Michael II Komnenos. The first documentary evidence for the fortress dates to 1272, when Giordano di San Felice took possession of it for Charles of Anjou, who had seized Corfu from Manfred, King of Sicily in 1267.

From 1387 to the end of the 16th century, Angelokastro was the official capital of Corfu and the seat of the Provveditore Generale del Levante, governor of the Ionian islands and commander of the Venetian fleet, which was stationed in Corfu.

The governor of the castle (the castellan) was normally appointed by the City council of Corfu and was chosen amongst the noblemen of the island.

Angelokastro is considered one of the most imposing architectural remains in the Ionian Islands.

Julien Vinel (7 months ago)
A beautiful well restored tower which offers a beautiful view over the valley

Dominique Labrousse (9 months ago)
Beautiful ruin, a site to visit for free! Thanks to the town.

Adrien Bernie (9 months ago)
Superb.

Stephanestephanestephane Binet (10 months ago)
Wonderful place. The path to access the ruined castle is very steep but invariably plunges me into the past, it's so magical ... But you have to climb to the top of the tower to receive the real reward ... the magnificent view of the comminges .... good luck

Benjamin DE BIASIO (10 months ago)
Very pleasant experience under the sun. Do not hesitate to push the metal gate of the dungeon to climb to the top of the tower. Very nice walk with young children.

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Historic Site of the week

Angelokastro

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